Best Practices in Assistive Technology
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued new guidance, expressing expectations and best practices for how to promote more inclusive learning experiences for all children and youth with disabilities. Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services
MYTH 1: Assistive Technology (AT) should only be considered at some individualized education program (IEP) Team meetings.
FACT: Each time an IEP Team develops, reviews, or revises a child’s IEP, the IEP Team must consider whether the child requires AT devices and services.
Assistive Technology (AT) Consideration & Assessment
Does your district have clear procedures for AT Consideration & AT Assessment?
Contact SETC for staff training & coaching setc@cwu.edu
AT Consideration
Occurs within the IEP meeting.
Completed with existing data from levels of perfomance.
AT Consideration Process
Key question: Does the student require AT to make progress on annual goals and/or to have equitable access to the general education curriculum?
The need for Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services is one of the special considerations that IEP teams MUST address in developing or reviewing the IEP.
AT Assessment
Completed over a span of days, weeks, or months and occurs outside of the IEP meeting.
Involves gathering new data over multiple interactions with the student and team members & it includes trials of assistive technology.
AT Assessment Process
1. Gather Data
2. Determine what AT to trial
3. Trial AT & gather data
4. Decide if AT is required
Definition of AT Assessment:
“The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment” that helps with the selection & acquisition of AT. ~IDEA
Special Education Technology Center (SETC)
Supporting Educators & Parents with Technology Tools to Make Learning Accessible
Web Resources for Best Practices in Assistive Technology for Education
- GPAT – Georgia Project for Assistive Technology www.gpat.org
- QIAT – Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology www.qiat.org
- SETC – Special Education Technology Center of Washington State https://specialedtechcenter.com/
- SETC YouTube Channel http://bit.ly/SETC-YouTube
- SETT – Joy Zabala http://www.joyzabala.com/
- WATI – Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative www.wati.org